Parke County has 31 historic bridges, many built in the 1800s and still in use. They’re especially charming nestled amid fall foliage, and autumn is a great time to hike or go on a horseback ride at Turkey Run State Park. Five well-marked driving routes, each about 30 miles long, make finding the bridges and exploring easy.

Festival fun During the Covered Bridge Festival in October, vendors and artists set up booths in Bridgeton, Mansfield, Rockville and other towns. Yes, it’s crowded—book rooms early—but we like the lively atmosphere in this normally sleepy area.